CHAOS
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn ‘prohibited’ by British Boxing Board of Control after Benn failed voluntary doping test – despite fighters agreeing to go ahead
The Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight has been prohibited by the British Boxing Board of Control after Benn failed a random doping test.
The 26-year-old returned the adverse finding for clomifene in August from Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, but has since passed a UK Anti-Doping Agency test.
5
The substance, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, is usually used to treat infertility in women, but can increase testosterone in men.
With the fight set to take place at The O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, both fighters agreed to go ahead, as Benn was not charged with any rule violation and seemingly free to fight.
However, the BBBC has now refused to sanction the bout, insisting it is 'not in the interest of boxing'.
A statement read: "On the evening of 4th October 2022, the board of the British Boxing Board of Control Limited resolved that the contest between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn scheduled to take place on 8th October 2022 is prohibited as it is not in the interests of boxing.
"That was communicated to the boxers and promoters involved on the morning of 5th October 2022."
After news of the failed drugs test emerged on Wednesday, Eubank Jr's promoter Kalle Sauerland joined talkSPORT to explain his fighter's position.
5
Most read in Boxing
He insisted the 33-year-old was happy to fight having consulted legal and medical experts, as well as Benn himself.
"There has been a trace finding of a female fertility drug in a voluntary testing scheme, which is in addition to the UKAD testing scheme, the British Boxing Board of Control's testing scheme." Sauerland explained.
"At the end of August, beginning of September, there was a test taken by Benn in which there was this female fertility drug and that was then relayed to us when those tests came back.
"The British board follows UKAD and all those tests were presented to us as negative and that’s the position from a licensing point of view that we have received.
"It’s a non-PED [Performance Enhancing Drug], but at the same time it can raise the testosterone levels, but the experts we consulted couldn’t see that it was giving an advantage.
5
"So, on the basis of that, we discussed with the most important person on our side and that’s the athlete and he was happy to continue.
"We spoke to Benn directly, there was a direct discussion between the two, but I’m not privileged to that discussion, I wasn’t part of that discussion...
"We have to focus on the show on Saturday and we can’t be distracted by anything.
"The summary of what we’ve received is that there was this trace finding, but the key for me here is the UKAD findings and the medical advice, which is probably the most important thing here, because we’re talking about a physical combat sport, so that for me is the be all and end all.
5
"The first thing you think when you hear ‘positive doping test’ is that the fight’s off, then you have to look into what it is…
"It’s very clear there’s been a big mistake here from the other side, but ultimately has it been done as a PED? No. That’s what the medical opinions are."
Sauerland revealed that UKAD have taken a recent test which came back negative and he finished by saying: “The fight on Saturday is on.”
Following the news, Benn's promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: "We have been made aware that a random anti-doping test for Conor Benn conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association returned an adverse analytical finding for trace amounts of a fertility drug.
5
"The B Sample has yet to be tested, meaning that no rule violation has been confirmed. Indeed, Mr Benn has not been charged with any rule violation, he is not suspended and he remains free to fight.
"Mr Benn has since passed a doping control test conducted by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, the anti-doping authority to which the British Board of Boxing Control has delegated its doping control testing for the bout. Mr Benn has passed all doping control tests conducted by UKAD.
"Both fighters have taken medical and legal advice, are aware of all relevant information and wish to proceed with the bout."
Read More on talkSPORT
Fight week media commitments started on Wednesday with a live workout at a venue in central London getting under way just past 2pm.
Benn was due to enter the ring at 3.25pm with Eubank set to follow him 10 minutes later.
Topics